Edinboro’s award-winning animation program once again ranks among the best in the U.S., receiving national ranking from Animation Career Review.

A leading online resource for collegiate programs and careers in animation, game design and related fields, Animation Career Review named Edinboro’s program No. 19 on the Top 25 Animation Schools and Colleges on the East Coast list for 2024.

Offered in-person in PennWest’s College of Education, Arts and Humanities, Edinboro’s program offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in animation and boasts alumni at nationally recognized firms such as Disney, DreamWorks, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment and Nickelodeon.

Animation Career Review, which has ranked schools in the U.S. since 2012, collects data from student surveys, U.S. Department of Education scorecards, past animation rankings, employment data, academic reputation and graduation and retention rates.

Edinboro’s art program was praised for features such as visiting artist and speakers, dedicated studio spaces, multiple galleries with frequent exhibitions, courses taught by accomplished specialists across creative industries, and accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

The animation program, which previously earned a top Pennsylvania rank from Animation Career Review, explores hand-drawn and computer-generated animation, character design, storyboarding, visual development and stop-motion.

During the immersive animation portfolio prep course, students will work with 3D computer modeling, animation, sound, advanced nodal surfacing and special effects through lectures and practical demonstrations. Students will also work on a group computer animation project and a detailed modeling project, complete their digital portfolio, and give a software demonstration.

Other animation program highlights include access to state-of-the-art facilities such as the 2D Cintiq Lab; opportunities to engage with professional animators, storyboard artists and directors during special on-campus events; and travel to animation conferences and festivals in Los Angeles, New York and Toronto.

For more information about PennWest’s art programs and full array of academic programs, visit pennwest.edu/academics.